COLUMBUS, Ohio (OFBF) - An estimated 200 farmers and supporters gathered at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus on Wednesday for a rally to promote a YES vote on State Issue 2 in November.

Supporters, many college-aged, lined the street and held signs in support of family farmers, safe local food and farming in general, chanting “No farmers, No food,” and “Yes on 2,” as area farmers drove to the rally in tractors.

Gov. Strickland, citing childhood farm experience during his speech at the rally, stressed his support and the importance of Issue 2 to all Ohioans. “The creation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is something we can all agree upon, and is the right thing for Ohio,” he said. “I am committed to protecting Ohio’s family farms and the quality of food available for all Ohioans. Please join me in voting yes for farming, yes for safe, locally grown food and yes for strengthening Ohio’s farming community. We can do that by voting yes for Issue 2.”

Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, talked of the overwhelming bipartisan support for Issue 2 and said farmers, people who like to eat, and those who care about Ohio’s economy and keeping people working should all support Issue 2.

Ohio Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina, spoke of the need to take consideration from multiple aspects of society into livestock care and to be sure Ohio makes careful choices in how standards are set. “At the end of the day, Issue 2 is about science, not speculation,” he said.

Paid for by Ohioans for Livestock Care Political Action Committee, John C. Fisher, Treasurer, 280 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215.